.@Facebook, @Twitter & @Google say they’ve made changes to their algorithms to keep disinformation from spreading virally. But research from @oiioxford suggests Big Tech’s efforts have done little to address the problem bit.ly/2IKhNZo
The report makes for an interesting read, particularly based on interviews w/ digital advertising experts. Biggest change? Brands & campaigns now have to spend more on advertising to get message across b/c algorithmic changes mean ‘organic content’ isn’t shared as much
In short, by trying to clamp down on disinformation, platforms have also made it more difficult to spread normal posts, meaning companies have actually benefited by forcing brands/campaigns to spend more on advertising to promote their messages
Also, key point: need for updates to electoral rules globally to make them fit for digital age. That has not happened. Anywhere. ‘Cos why would politicians pass new rules when they are currently benefiting from the Wild West that is social media?
Hard not to blame all sides for this. Companies like FB haven’t stopped the worst offenders politi.co/2YqxEFf, countries have passed the buck on passing new rules politi.co/2nrs5FP
And in places where they have tried to respond, the efforts have focused solely on foreign interference, failing to realize that it’s domestic groups that are the primary driver for disinformation (some of which is also linked to foreign actors) politi.co/2ZPP36X
In short: no one knows who’s buying what, where and directed at whom? Everyone says there’s a problem, but can’t agree on a solution. Lots of blaming of tech companies (rightly so), but failing to hold lawmakers to account — many of which still buy social media political ads
And ahead of 2020, we’re seeing an increased hybridization approach — one that involves inauthentic social media communities, illegitimate ‘news outlets’ pumping out partisan views & increasingly directed political ads messages, often bought through (anonymous) third-party groups
Gotta love democracy in the 21st century.
Definitely agree w/ this. It’s no longer about harvesting people’s social media data.
It’s about combining as much offline data (mostly through existing data brokers) so you already have a clear idea of who you’re targeting online even before you buy your first political ad
It’s about combining as much offline data (mostly through existing data brokers) so you already have a clear idea of who you’re targeting online even before you buy your first political ad
